In today’s column, a major litigation funder fired its executive vice-chairman for allegedly violating its policy on expenses; Sheppard Mullin postponed its reopening to Feb. 7, citing omicron-variant Covid’s rapid spread; Congressional Black Caucus lawmakers warned Washington lobbyists that if they don’t diversify their firms, caucus members will refuse to meet with them.

• Leading off, Husch Blackwell launched its The Link virtual office with 39 attorneys in July last year as Covid-19 pushed firms to rapidly shift to remote work. With the pandemic’s end nowhere in site, the office now has 85 lawyers. Of Husch’s 25 offices, only its St. Louis location has more lawyers. (St. Louis Business Journal)
• Litigation funder Litigation Capital Management fired its London-based executive vice-chairman, Nick Rowles-Davies, accusing him of a “significant violation” of its policies on expenses. Davies, a co-founder of Vannin Capital and current chairman of the Commercial Litigation Association, has held top roles at other litigation fund firms, this report says. (Global Legal Post)
• Sheppard Mullin is delaying its official return-to-office date to Feb. 7, citing the recent surge of omicron-variant Covid-19, among other factors. (The Recorder) The Wall Street Journal’s survey of omicron’s growing impact on business includes Paul Weiss dropping a requirement for vaccinated employees to work in office and Ropes & Gray canceling its 200-person law-firm partner lunch. (WSJ)
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